Kightly pulls out of U21 friendly

Kightly missed most of last season with an ankle injury (Getty)

Wolves winger Michael Kightly has pulled out of England Under-21 duty after more trouble with his ankle.

The 22-year-old was due to face Wales in a friendly on Thursday but is still not happy with the injury.

"I went over on the ankle while training with Wolves before the Plymouth game.

"I felt sore after that game and it still didn't feel right after training with the Under-21's. So I pulled out," he told the Wolves official website.

Kightly missed large parts of last season after originally suffering ankle ligament damage in the Black Country derby against West Bromwich Albion in November.

He returned in January only to suffer a recurrence of the injury which kept him out for a further three months.

Pre-season is only six weeks away and I want to be fit for that Wolves' Michael Kightly

Kightly did make a quicker-than-expected comeback to feature in Wolves' last four games of the season as they failed to make the play-offs on goal difference.

But he is keeping an eye on the bigger picture as Wolves focus on an important summer ahead of another promotion campaign.

"Obviously I'm disappointed. Not only on missing out on another cap but also missing the chance to come up against Wayne [Hennessey] and David [Edwards]."

"But pre-season is only six weeks away and I want to be fit for that."